At the United Way of Indian River County Thank You Celebration last Wednesday evening at the Grand Harbor Golf Club, seven figures took center stage, and it was not just the final digits of the annual United Way Campaign. The true purpose of the campaign was brought home as seven individuals, whose lives have been directly aided by funding, each revealed a number in the final total and shared their stories.
The annual celebration is a way for the United Way to show its gratitude for all those who helped raise money throughout the community with workplace campaigns, individual donations and volunteerism. Debbie Morgan, campaign co-chair with husband Kyle, came up with the concept of showing them how actual lives were affected by all their hard work.
“Because of you and your commitment to healthy families, I was able to benefit from services to improve my life and the lives of my children,” one mother told them, her voice choked with emotion.
“I guide them in how we do business at United Way and sort of lead them to people who have helped in the past, but always invite the co-chairs to modify that process in any way to improve it,” said UW campaign director Tracey Seagal, adding that co-chairs all offer a unique style and perspective. “Debbie’s former marketing career has been very helpful to bounce ideas from that perspective and Kyle is a numbers guy and very much on point to make goals through the whole process.”
“I think this is my last hurrah,” laughed Kyle Morgan, who has risen through the ranks over the 10 years he has volunteered with United Way. “I wanted to give back because I grew up in this community. I asked what the best organization was to help and my mentor said United Way. I then started on the Citizens Review Panel.”
Agencies under the UWIRC umbrella are meticulously vetted by the panel.
“We moved back here 11 years ago and for us it has actually been gratifying to meet people who volunteer to do things like Day of Caring, work with clients or who donate in some way,” said Debbie Morgan. “It is just an incredible community, so generous with their time, their talent and resources, and to experience it together as a couple is very special.”
With their combined talents and knowledge, the pair not only reached their impressive $3,035,000 goal, but bested it by more than $16,000. The local United Way has raised in excess of $57 million since its founding in 1961.
“The reality is that this year is more normal. Last year was the atypical year when we had seven co-chairs; traditionally we have a couple or a team or two or three people,” said UWIRC CEO Michael Kint. “It went very well. It is all about the volunteers and having such a good team.”
At the end of the evening, Kyle Morgan announced that the next campaign will be led by Bill Penney and the Marine Bank Team.
“I am blessed to work with a wonderful group of people,” said Penney. “They all give back to the community so this is something we can all do together as a team.”
